Microsoft Wireless Notebook Laser Mouse 6000 review: Microsoft Wireless Notebook Laser Mouse 6000

The Microsoft Notebook Laser Mouse 6000 is too small for comfortable everyday use and is something of an underperformer when it comes to wireless range, but its accompanying IntelliPoint software package adds some exceptional functionality to this otherwise straightforward notebook mouse. If you're in the market for a notebook mouse to use every day, consider Logitech's premium VX Revolution. Otherwise, consider the Microsoft Notebook Laser Mouse 6000 alongside other reasonably priced competitors, such as the Logitech V450 Laser cordless notebook mouse.

At just 3.5 ounces and the size of a large bar of hotel soap, the Microsoft Wireless Notebook Laser Mouse 6000 is one of the smaller notebook mice around. Like the Logitech V450 Laser cordless mouse for notebooks, the Microsoft rodent is symmetrical down its long axis, making it fit for both left- and right-handed individuals. Unfortunately, also like the V450, it's too small, and it lacks a sculpted shape that would allow it to fit comfortably in your hand. The mouse also has a raised ridge down its center, designed to let you use it with just two fingers, which is downright uncomfortable. In addition to the Notebook Laser Mouse 6000's left-side zoom button, it also has the two standard buttons and an unusually thin tilting wheel that has little tactile feedback.

Though the Notebook Laser Mouse 6000 is a bit smaller than most laptop mice, its wireless receiver is downright huge. At just over 2.5 inches long and 1 inch wide, it's about 50 percent larger than the receiver on the Logitech V450. It's also thicker than other wireless receivers, causing it to protrude from the mouse's base when stowed. Though the receiver is a heavyweight, it turns in a featherweight's performance, as the Notebook Laser Mouse 6000 stops working just three feet from the laptop. Clipping the receiver into the mouse's base shuts it down, saving power by ensuring that it won't turn on accidentally. Microsoft claims a single AA battery should power the mouse for six months.

Microsoft is, above all else, a software company, and the IntelliPoint application included with the Notebook Laser Mouse 6000 shows the company's prowess. IntelliPoint's star feature is accessible at the press of the left-side zoom button. As one might expect, pushing it pops up a box that magnifies whatever is underneath the cursor. Pushing the zoom button while in zoom mode lets you manipulate the size of the box and the zoom level. The IntelliPoint software also allows you to program the Notebook Laser Mouse 6000 to behave differently depending on the application you're currently using. Though we don't know why you'd want to--as you'd have to part with programmability and the awesome zoom feature--it is possible to mouse without installing IntelliPoint by simply plugging the receiver into an available USB port.